A Guide to North Stradbroke Island - Australian Traveller

Discover the second-largest sand island in the world.

Endearingly referred to as ‘Straddie’ by the locals – and known as Minjerribah to its traditional owners, the Quandamooka people – North Stradbroke Island has buckets full of old-school Queensland holiday charm just waiting to be explored.

How to get to North Stradbroke Island

Around 30km east of Brisbane CBD (a 40-minute drive) is the coastal suburb of Cleveland and the gateway to North Stradbroke Island. If you’re travelling to Cleveland by train, a free connecting bus (route 258) takes you to Toondah Harbour.

Once tickets are pre-purchased online or at the ticket desk on arrival, visitors can catch the 25-minute passenger North Stradbroke Island ferry. It connects to a bus service on the other side at Dunwich, taking you to Point Lookout.

Alternatively, if you prefer to take your car with you, the 50-minute vehicle ferry is available, and the main roads on the island are sealed and easily accessible.

The entire trip takes around two hours from Brisbane CBD, but once you plonk your bare feet onto the shore it’ll be worth the journey.

A walkway by the sea surrounded by greenery on North Stradbroke Island. — The journey to North Stradbroke Island is well worth it. (Image: Kenny Smith)

Get to know North Stradbroke Island

There are three towns on the island: Dunwich, Amity, and Point Lookout. Each small town is located about 20km apart, and accessible via sealed roads. If you’re staying for a few days it’s worth visiting all three places, as they’re each so different.

In the historic town of Dunwich, you can visit Salt Water Murris Quandamooka Aboriginal Art Gallery or the North Stradbroke Island Historical Museum. Point Lookout is popular for its magnificent beaches and retail shops. Or for laid-back local charm, head to the small seaside village of Amity Point.

What to do on North Stradbroke Island

While you’re more than welcome to soak up the sun, sea, and sand on Straddie (it really is the perfect island for this), there is so much to see and do here that you’ll never be bored.

Meet the local marine life

Manta Lodge & Scuba Centre offers scuba diving trips from Friday to Tuesday. With experienced guides and over 15 dive sites to visit, this is popular all year round. Dive below and try to spot manta rays, leopard sharks in summer, and grey nurse sharks and humpback whales in winter. If you haven’t been certified as an open-water diver – no worries, you can sign up for the ‘Try Scuba Diving’ program.

North Stradbroke Island also has some extraordinary snorkelling sites and with no experience necessary, you can join a half-day guided snorkelling tour to see what lies beneath the water.

Take a dip in Brown Lake

Going for a dip in tea-coloured water may not sound appealing, but trust us when we say it’s an experience not to be missed.

The colour of the water is due to the tannin from the leaves of the surrounding paperbark and tea trees, yet it’s beautifully calm and refreshing. It’s the perfect spot for a quiet dip on a warm day. The best way to reach the lake, 3.5km outside of Dunwich, is by car.

Brown Lake at North Stradbroke Island. — Don’t be put off by the colour, a swim here is beautifully calm and refreshing. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Kayak to Peel Island

Brighten up your day with an early kayak tour. Setting off at 8:30am, a kayaking adventure with Straddie Kingfisher Tours takes you to Peel Island, stopping along the way to spot dugongs, turtles, and dolphins playing in the bay.

Near Peel Island is the Shipwreck of the Platypus which sank in 1930. From here, get your flippers and snorkels out to swim to the wreckage.

Cruise down sand dunes

Located close to Dunwich, sandboarding is a fun way to spend a day in Straddie. Kingfisher Tours provides the boards and the speed wax, so all you have to remember is your sunscreen and camera. You won’t want to miss those epic stacks.

Experience North Gorge Walk

With incredible ocean views and beautiful stretches of coastal bushland, North Gorge Walk is a must-do item on your visit to North Stradbroke Island.

Along the way, there are spectacular lookouts to stop at and enjoy the view, as well as endless stretches of golden, sandy beaches and opal waters.

The 1.5km walk (around 45 minutes) starts off as a dirt track before quickly turning into a boardwalk for the rest of the route. Some steps are included.

A couple watching the sunset over the ocean at North Gorge walk on North Stradbroke Island. — North Gorge Walk is a must-do. (Image: Kenny Smith)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Explore Deadman’s Beach

In 1902 a ship sunk in the Coral Sea just off Point Lookout. A skeleton and boot were uncovered on a nearby beach 50 years later – hence the name Deadman’s Beach.

Putting the unfortunate history aside, this beach is one of the prettiest spots in the whole of Straddie. If you sit on the top of the grassy hill, you can easily spot the annual migration of humpback whales. On the other end of the beach lay rock pools and a massive sand dune.

Where to eat on North Stradbroke Island

You may be surprised to hear there are a lot of food and drink spots on Straddie – over 35 places.

Across Dunwich, Point Lookout, and Amity Point – whether you choose a beach hotel or bistro, fruit barn or coffee cart, or fresh seafood or pizza joint – you won’t be disappointed. They’ve all got great reviews, but here are five extra special recommendations.

Bo Beans Coffee

Feeling peckish? Pop into Bo Beans Coffee for a caffeine hit and to suss out the treats cabinet. There’s a full range of vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free cakes, slices, cookies, brownies, and muffins.

Where: 44 Sovereign Road, Amity Point

Bo hands out coffee at Bo Beans café on North Stradbroke Island, Brisbane. — Bo Beans Coffee has a full vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free range. (Image: Bo Beans)

The Barn Cafe

Just a 10-minute walk from Dunwich Ferry Terminal, The Barn Cafe (formerly known as the Island Fruit Barn) sells a bit of everything.

Where: 16 Bingle Road, Dunwich

Oasis on Straddie

Following the mantra ‘you are what you eat’, Oasis on Straddie offers a menu made from scratch using locally sourced fresh produce where possible. Pop in for their daily gourmet salads, vegetable lasagne, or even a simple toastie and watermelon juice.

Where: 83 Dickson Way, Point Lookout

The calming décor at Oasis on Straddie cafe on North Stradbroke Island, Brisbane. — Oasis on Straddie offers a menu using locally sourced fresh produce. (Image: Oasis on Straddie)

Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel

For alfresco dining with sea views, head to the Manta Ray Bistro & Waves Bar at Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel. From sensational seafood platters to a traditional salad and schnitzel, there’s plenty to tempt your taste buds.

Where: 158-172 Dickson Way, Point Lookout

Bistro Seymour on Straddie

For a spot of lunch at the highest point of the island, head to Bistro Seymour at North Stradbroke Island Golf Club.

New to the island in 2022, this stunning spot overlooks Brown Lake and Moreton Bay and serves a variety of hearty classics including “gran’s recipes passed down". Customers can also be picked up from Dunwich in a shuttle bus if you book ahead.

Where: North Stradbroke Island Golf Club, Alfred Martin Way, Dunwich

Bistro Seymour on Straddie serves up delicious classics on North Stradbroke Island, Brisbane. — Eat at the highest point of the island, at North Stradbroke Island Golf Club. (Image: North Stradbroke Island Golf Club)

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Where to stay on North Stradbroke Island

Find your North Stradbroke Island accommodation in the mixture of privately-owned beach shacks, self-contained apartments, resorts, and camp spots perched on the road into Point Lookout – an ideal base for day trips and island adventures.

Budget accommodation

Stradbroke Island YHA

One of the few properties on the island where you can book a one-night stay, is Stradbroke Island YHA. With a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, and both co-living and private rooms to choose from, it’s an ideal base to save some dollars.

YHA provides good budget accommodation on North Stradbroke Island — Stradbroke Island YHA has a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. (Image: YHA)

Straddie Island B&B

Sitting high among the neighbouring bushland is Straddie Island B&B, only a short stroll away from beaches and restaurants. Each private room includes a queen-sized bed and ensuite, as well as a covered patio arena and a complimentary bottle of wine on arrival.

Camping

Cylinder Beach Camping Ground

Right up at the top in Point Lookout sits Cylinder Beach. This shady location is more centered towards the hub of town. It’s extremely close to the shops and eateries, plus art galleries and markets. Set up the tent on the unpowered site then run to catch a wave.

Main Beach Camping Ground

If it’s beach camping you’re interested in, Main Beach in Dunwich is your ticket to sleeping just steps away from the water. With 4WD access only, and a dog-friendly campground, you’ll be guaranteed to make lifetime memories. Hot tip: don’t forget to bring your own toilet.

You can camp at Main Beach on North Stradbroke Island — Main Beach in Dunwich is your ticket to sleeping just steps away from the water. (Image: Brisbane Economic Development Agency)

Luxury accommodation

Allure Stradbroke Resort

Tucked into the foothills of Point Lookout is Allure Stradbroke Resort providing fully self-contained beach shacks and villas. Its deluxe villas have beautiful outdoor entertaining areas and on-site facilities include a pool, gym, and Straddie Eats Cafe.

The deluxe beach shack at Allure hotel on North Stradbroke Island, Brisbane. — Allure Stradbroke Resort’s deluxe villas have beautiful outdoor entertaining areas and on-site facilities. (Image: Allure)

Pandanus Palms Resort

For spacious villas with balconies offering views across Moreton Island and the Coral Sea, head to Pandanus Palms Resort – you’ll get a real taste of island life in style. There’s an onsite restaurant and cocktail bar, as well as a swimming pool, tennis court, and luxurious celebration packages.

Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel

This vibrant beachfront hotel with modern apartments and ocean-view rooms has its own al fresco restaurant – Manta Ray Bistro. Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel is spacious and modern with breezy open-plan living and modern conveniences.

If you’re planning the perfect Brisbane vacation, we’ve got you covered with our ultimate travel guide.

Under wide-open outback skies, discover a fossicking gem that’s managed to slip under the radar.

While the name Clermont may feel new to even the most intrepid traveller, its gilded history stretches back centuries. You’ll find it just off the highway, humming quietly under the hazy veil of Queensland’s outback sun. It’s here, hemmed in by mountains and perched atop soil heavy with the earth’s treasures, that one of Australia’s most accessible outback adventures awaits.

Thanks to deposits of gold, copper and gemstones – souvenirs left by exploding supernovas and the heave of tectonic plates – Clermont became a centre point of Queensland’s Gold Rush. And now? Australia’s fossicking capital is yours to discover.

Getting there

car driving along Capricorn Way in queensland — Take a drive through Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. (Image: Sean Scott/ TEQ)

You’ll find Clermont in Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. To get here, it’s an easy three-hour drive over sealed roads from Mackay. Or, if you’re heading from the Sapphire Fields of Emerald, the drive will carve out just over an hour from your day.

Whether you’re road-tripping through outback Queensland or just tracing your way through all that Australia has to offer, Clermont is remote but easily accessible.

Best accommodation in Clermont

Theresa CreekDam in clermont — Camp by Theresa Creek Dam. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

All accommodation comes with a generous helping of country hospitality here. The choice is yours between modern hotels, parking up the camper or pitching a tent.

Theresa Creek Dam lies just outside town. Begin each day with crisp country air and bright outback sunrises. Spend the night under the sparkling country stars and your days out on the dam fishing or kayaking. Even if you aren’t camping, be sure to save space in your itinerary for an afternoon on the red dirt shore.

To stay closer to town, opt for a central hotel to base yourself between exploring and fossicking, like Smart Stayzzz Inn and Clermont Country Motor Inn.

Things to do in Clermont

three people on a tour with Golden Prospecting — Join a tour with Golden Prospecting.

One does not visit Clermont without trying their hand at fossicking. There are strict rules when it comes to fossicking, so stick to areas dedicated for general permission and make sure you obtain your license beforehand. Try your luck at McMasters, Four Mile, Town Desert, McDonald Flat and Flat Diggings. To increase your odds, sign on for a tour with the expert team at Golden Prospecting. They’ll give you access to exclusive plots and expert advice along the way.

Once you’ve tried your luck on the gold fields, head to the Clermont Township and Historical Museum. Each exhibit works like an archaeologist’s brush to dust away the layers of Clermont’s history. Like the steam engine that painstakingly relocated the entire town inch by inch to higher ground after it was decimated by flooding in 1916. See the tools that helped build the Blair Athol mine, historic fire engines, shearing sheds and all sorts of relics that make up Clermont’s story.

The historic Copperfield Chimney offers a change of pace. Legend has it that fossickers found a solid wall of copper here, over three metres high, kick-starting Queensland’s first-ever copper mine.

Bush Heli Services flying over clermont queensland — See Clermont from above with Bush Heli Services. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

For hiking, nearby Dysart is the best place to access Peak Range National Park. Here, mountainous horizons stretch across the outback as if plucked from another world. Set off for a scenic drive along the Peak Downs Highway for access to countless geological wonders. Like the slanting rockface of Wolfang Peak. Summit it, and you’ll find yourself looking out across a scene surely conjured up by Banjo Paterson. Dry scrub dancing in the warm breeze, grazing cattle, eucalypts and the gentle creak of windmills. Don’t miss visiting Gemini Peaks, either, for one of the park’s best vistas, and a blanket of wild flowers after rain.

Then, take to the skies with a scenic helicopter tour with Bush Heli-Services. Shift your perspective and cruise above all the sights from your trip. Spots like Lords Table Mountain and Campbell’s Peak are best viewed from the skies.

Before you head home, be sure to explore the neighbouring townships. Spend a lazy afternoon in the shade of Nebo Hotel’s wrap-around verandahs. The hotel’s 1900s dance hall has since been replaced with one of the area’s biggest rodeo arenas, so consider timing your trip to line up with a boot scootin’ rodeo. Or, stop by a ghost town. Mount Britton was once a thriving town during the 1880s Gold Rush. It’s been totally abandoned and now lies untouched, a perfect relic of the Gold Rush.

Best restaurants and cafes in Clermont

meal at Commercial Hotel — Stop into the Commercial Hotel Clermont.

Days spent fossicking, bushwalking and cramming on history call for excellent coffee and hearty country meals. Luckily, Clermont delivers in spades.

Lotta Lattes Cafe is beloved by locals for a reason. Start your days here for the best caffeine fix in town and an impeccable brunch menu.

For a real country meal, an icy cold beer and that famed country hospitality, head straight to the town’s iconic hotel: the Commercial Hotel (known endearingly to locals as ‘The Commie’). It’s been a staple in Clermont since 1877. The hotel even survived the flood of 1916 when it was sawn in two and moved to higher ground.

Naturally, time spent in the outback must include calling into the local bakery. For delicious pies and a tantalising array of sweet treats, make Bluemac Bakehouse your go-to while in town.

Discover more of The Mackay Isaac region, and start planning your trip at mackayisaac.com.

A guide to North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah)

Discover the second-largest sand island in the world.

How to get to North Stradbroke Island

Get to know North Stradbroke Island